Spaceband buffer-finger and drag for line-casting machines.



S. B. BATSFORD. SPAGEBAND BUFFER FINGER AND DRAG FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED JAN.29, 1914.

1, 1 24,688, Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

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x \3 .2293. WITNESSES: XNVENTOR BY if Awonu 1-12 THE NORRIS PETERS PHDTO LITHO.. WASHING TON D. C,

s'iasgrr canton STERLING B. BATSFORD, OF BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, ASSIG-NOR or oNn-rnlan TO CRAIVIER BATsronD, or OAKLAND, cALIFonNIA.

SPACEBAND BUFFER-FINGER AND DRAG FOR LINE-CASTING MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.,

Application filed January 29, 1914. Serial No. 815,150.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, STERLING B. BATsroRD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Berkeley, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Spaceband Buffer- Fingers and Drags for Line-Casting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to line casting and typographical machines, and particularly to improvements in the spaeeband bulfer-finger thereof.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improvedspaceband mechanism which will operate to support the spacebands, when they are delivered into the assembler, in such a manner as to eliminate the possibility of the inclination of the matrices and transposition into wrong positions in the line being assembled in the assembler; a further object of the invention being to so control the spacebands as they are assembled that their upper portions will. be caused to slightly lean away from the chute during assembling in the assembler and without dancing or vibrating.

The invention consists in the combination of a spaceband buifer-finger, mounted in juxtaposition with the usual assembler of a linotype machine, and a device for reacting upon the spacebands as they are assembled in the assembler and supported upon the buffer-finger so as to cause the same to assemble in a positive order, and to eliminate the possibility of the transposition of the matrices and spacebands assembling in the assembler.

It also comprises details of construction which will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved spaceband buffer-finger and drag. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device. Fig. 3 shows a modified form of spaceband retard device.

At 2 is represented in outline the assembler of a linotype machine in which matrices and spacebands are brought into proper po sition for the composition of a line. The spacebands 3 are delivered to the assembler 2 through the usual spaceband chute, not

here shown, and impinge upon and are supported on a horizontally extending pivoted spaceband buffer-finger or rest 4-, which may be pivoted at 5 upon a suitable hanger. or arm 6 attached to a convenient portion of the machine frame indicated at 7.

Ordinarily, when the spacebands and matrices assemble in the assembler, owing to the opportunity for the spacebands to tilt toward the spaceband chute while resting upon the buffer-finger 4, matrices are frequently transposed from their intended position in the line being assembled. I have found by actual experience and successful operation of this invention that the composition of pi can be successfully eliminated by introducing and using, in combination with the spaceband buffer-linger 4-, a complementary device, here shown as a resilient auxiliaryfinger 8 which is mounted at one end in the hanger 6 and projects forwardly along and in juxtaposition to the inner side of the spaceband finger l. This auxiliary spring finger 8 or drag is shown as having an end or body portion 9 which is offset or bent at 10 seats to throw the outer portion 11 of the drag 8 toward or closer to the spaceband buffer-finger 4:.

As the spacebands enter the assembler 2 their lower ends straddle the pivoted end of the buifer-finger 4- and do not engage the adjacent portion 9 of the drag member 8. As a line is composed in the assembler the spaceband bufi'enfingers and the interposed matrices are advanced along the assembler guides so that the spacebands 3 shift outwardly on the buffer-finger 4, and during this change of position in the assembler the spacebands 3, moving outwardly along the buffer-finger 4:, are subjected to a slight pressure from the adjacent ofiset portion 11 of the drag device 8, the pressure of which serves to hold the, lower ends of the spacebands very lightly while the upper ends are being advanced as the line is compiled.

The beneficial result of the use of the retarder or pressure device 8 is that as the spacebands 3 are assembled their upper ends are caused to stand substantially vertically or tilt toward the end of the assembler, but opposite from the spaceband chute. Thus the opportunity for the transposition of incoming matrices is eliminated and the 0perator is relieved from the necessity of closely watching the line as it assembles in the assembler which he must do in order to correct transposed pieces in the line being compiled.

The function of thepresent device upon the spacebands is to cause them to so stack in the assembler elevator that it is very much easier for the operator to hand-space which is an important item in the operation of this class of machines. The device is readily applied to nearly every model of the linotype machine and can be attached without altering, machining or adding any additional fixtures to the structure of the machine.

There is shown in l ig. 3 a slight modification in which the spaceband finger 4 is slotted and provided with a bow-spring 9 which expands suiiiciently to engage the adjacent wall of the slotted end of the spaceband when resting on the butler-finger 4.

The angle in which the spaceband is caused to lean by its dragging prevents matrices from falling back in the assembler chute which causes transpositions and clogging oi the chute. This feature is very important as in the present machines an operator is required to raise the last letter of, a great many assembled lines before he raises the assembler elevator, In case he did not do this the matrix would fall completely out or the assembler or catch in such a way as to bend the chute spring and prevent the elevation of the line. he rotation of the star-wheel causes the spacebands and matrices to vibrate or dance, and this device entirely eliminates this condition by holding the line firm and steady. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a line-casting machine, the combination with the spaceband bufi'er-finger, of means independent thereof and coacting therewith to act laterally upon and control the lower ends of the spacebands being assembled in the assembler of the machine.

2. In a line-casting machine, the combinetion with the spaceband bufler-fingenof means coacting therewith to support and control the lower ends of the spacebands being assembled in the assembler of the machine, said means comprising a resilient resistance device mounted with its outer portion lying in parallel juxtaposition to the buffer-finger and being adapted to engage with light pressure the lower ends of the spacebands resting on the buffer-finger.

3. In a line casting machine, in combination with the space-band buffer-finger, means independent of the buffer-finger and disposed longitudinally thereof to control the movement of the lower ends of the spacebands. I

i. In a line casting machine, in combination with the space-band butter-finger, means independent of the butter-finger and disposed along the side thereof and in spaced relation thereto to -t'rictionally engage the space-bands.

5. In a line casting machine, in combination with the space-band rest, means formed independent of the rest and cooperating therewith to engage the lower ends of and thereby to control the space bands subsequent to the initial contact of same with the rest.

6. In line casting machine, in combina-' STERLING B. BATSFORD.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. I-IERRING,

IRVINE DENNETT.

Copies of this patent may be ehtainerl for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington. D. G. 

